Err 99 on 40D? Exchange or get it repaired?

What is the best bet to resolve this. I am certain its a shutter issue as it locks up before the the error shows up.

Do i get it exchanged? How can I be sure that the error won't show up on the new one?

If you got yours repaired by Canon, did you see the error again?

I would send it in to the Service Center

IMO Canon has a very poor to terrible quality control system at the assembly line. I have purchased two new DSLR cameras (10D and 350D) and had to send each in for service in the first ninety days of ownership.

I have had absolutely no problems with either camera since the service.

I bought a refurb 30D and had no problems with that camera in over a year of ownership.

I have more faith in Canon Service Center quality control than in the quality control at the Canon assembly line.

My experience has been similar. About 50% of my equipment goes back to Canon at least once within the first year but their service has always resolved the issue. But, if this is within the exchange period, I would take advantage of the exchange and get a new one. ERR99s can be frustrating.

If you still can, I'd definitely return/exchange it. The reason being because to send it in to Canon for warranty, YOU pay the shipping there, unless of course you live close enough to drop it off.

I made the mistake of not sending back my 1D3 when I got it. It came with a blemish that could be seen when looking through the viewfinder. It did not show up in the pictures, so I did not worry about it at that moment. That was a mistake because it just recently cost $40 to send it to Canon for service. The insurance was a killer.

Just got mine back from repairs due Err99. Works for now. They changed the shutter and cleaned the sensor. Hopefully it will last more than 10 000 clicks that the previous shutter did

crematia wrote in post #5794880
Just got mine back from repairs due Err99. Works for now. They changed the shutter and cleaned the sensor. Hopefully it will last more than 10 000 clicks that the previous shutter did

how long did it take for you to get it back and which location did you send it to?

If you really like the camera, you should probably send it to Canon. If you return it to the store, there's a chance you'll get another one with problems and waste even more of your time.

Does this happen all the time or is it an isolated incident? My 20D has over 40,000 actuations on it and I get an occasional Err 99, but not often enough to send it back for service. I have yeat to get one on my 40D but then it's only a week old...

Err 99 is Canon's catch-all designation for Unknown Problem. It could be anything -- a lens problem, a battery problem, an electronic problem...

Often, this error goes away if you take out the batteries (including the little watch battery in the battery case), wait a few minutes, then put the batteries back in. If it's a lens problem, though, you might take the lens off as well as take the batteries out (you can put the cap on the lens mount to prevent dust). Then try to turn the camera on without the lens mounted. If you still get the error, definitely return the kit. If not, you may have a lens problem. You could still exchange the kit, but at least you know what you're dealing with.

flashhsalf wrote in post #5795944
how long did it take for you to get it back and which location did you send it to?

It took 8 days. I took it to the dealer where I bought it, and they sent the camera who knows where. And this is in Finland.
But I got an extended warranty when I bought the camera, so I got a loaner body from the store for the duration of the repair. So all was good.

My Err99 was a complete stop for shooting. The shutter would just jam for a maybe a second, and the Err99 came up. And that happened everytime, with every lens, and without a lens or memory card.
And it seems to be well calibrated also

JWright wrote in post #5797548
Does this happen all the time or is it an isolated incident? My 20D has over 40,000 actuations on it and I get an occasional Err 99, but not often enough to send it back for service. I have yeat to get one on my 40D but then it's only a week old...

It happens on every 3rd or 4th shutter press, but most of them its on the first one.

crematia wrote in post #5797867
It took 8 days. I took it to the dealer where I bought it, and they sent the camera who knows where. And this is in Finland.
But I got an extended warranty when I bought the camera, so I got a loaner body from the store for the duration of the repair. So all was good.

My Err99 was a complete stop for shooting. The shutter would just jam for a maybe a second, and the Err99 came up. And that happened everytime, with every lens, and without a lens or memory card.
And it seems to be well calibrated also

I have the exact same issue. How long ago did you have it repaired? Has the error occurred again?

tonylong wrote in post #5797590
Err 99 is Canon's catch-all designation for Unknown Problem. It could be anything -- a lens problem, a battery problem, an electronic problem...

Often, this error goes away if you take out the batteries (including the little watch battery in the battery case), wait a few minutes, then put the batteries back in. If it's a lens problem, though, you might take the lens off as well as take the batteries out (you can put the cap on the lens mount to prevent dust). Then try to turn the camera on without the lens mounted. If you still get the error, definitely return the kit. If not, you may have a lens problem. You could still exchange the kit, but at least you know what you're dealing with.

Yea, I decided to just RMA the thing. I'd hate to get another one and worry if this new one is going to crap out on me again.

flashhsalf wrote in post #5792896
What is the best bet to resolve this. I am certain its a shutter issue as it locks up before the the error shows up.

Do i get it exchanged? How can I be sure that the error won't show up on the new one?

If you got yours repaired by Canon, did you see the error again?

Exchange! I learned my lesson.

Make sure it's not your lenses though. You can get an error99 if you leave your camera on locked at a low aperture that the new lens doesn't have(such as switching from a lowlight prime to a standard zoom).

flashhsalf wrote in post #5795944
how long did it take for you to get it back and which location did you send it to?

My two cameras took exactly one week each from the day I dropped them off at Irvine Service Center (Friday) to the day they were delivered at my home (the next Friday). This was two different repairs about two years apart - so I would guess that a week or so is the normal period.

The owner is responsible for getting the equipment to the Service Center and Canon is responsible for getting it back to the owner.

Canon USA, Inc
Factory Service Center

15955 Alton Parkway
Irvine, CA 92618
USA
949-753-4200